Goaltender Carey Price is the Montreal Canadiens player nominated for the Bill-Masterton Trophy.
This honor is given to the NHL player who best embodies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to his sport.
Price had knee surgery in July last year and was expected to recover in time for the start of the season on Oct. 13. But his rehabilitation took longer than expected and the 34-year-old veteran was only able to make his first start on April 15.
Shortly before the start of the season, Price even signed up for the NHL Player Assistance Program and the NHL Players Association, which meant an absence of at least 30 days. He later admitted that he made this decision to deal with a substance abuse problem.
When he returned to the team entourage at the beginning of November, he had to start his rehabilitation again. His fitness program was then halted in early 2022 when the team was affected by an outbreak of COVID-19.
Price said on January 31 that he was hopeful of playing by the end of the season, but admitted there was a possibility his career could be in jeopardy.
Price has been defeated in all four of his games this season, posting a 4.04 GAA and .853 save percentage.
Interim head coach Martin St-Louis revealed ahead of Sunday’s game that Price needed a bit of a rest but was preparing in hopes of playing the final game of the campaign on Friday. at the Bell Center against the Florida Panthers.
Other candidates for the honor include Anthony Duclair of the Florida Panthers, Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils and Anton Forsberg of the Ottawa Senators.
The winner of the Masterton Trophy will be announced along with other NHL honors between Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.